Statistics form the basis for fact, rather than opinion. I've had consultants tell me that they have completed visual analysis of recovered materials. That's just another word for opinion. By running simple chi-square on lithics across a site or even by levels in a test unit, I can make assessments regarding level of site disturbance, whether the site is multicomponent, and if the occupants of the site were selectively heat treating materials on site. For historic sites, I've found correlation between ceramic assemblages and location (simple coarse versus refined) that suggest interior structure, such as a parlor or dining area versus the kitchen. I've also used Chi-square on historic sites to assess distribution of chemicals in the soil, which in turn provided supporting data for yard activity areas. Dismissing or eliminating stats is typically the result of a lack of knowledge concerning what you can learn or which test is appropriate for your assemblage. I'll take stats over opinion any day.
Daniel B. Davis
Archaeologist Coordinator
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
Division of Environmental Analysis
200 Mero Street
Frankfort, KY 40622
(502) 564-7250
-----Original Message-----
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of sent
Sent: Monday, May 02, 2011 8:51 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Counting bits
I don’t think it is a matter of doing or not doing statistical analysis but
in doing only the quantification only to look good and not to help readers
of the report to do anything with it.
The statistics presented wont help a person do any form of higher level
analysis. They just help the archeologist get paid. An interesting problem
which needs to be addressed. The process like so many government
responsibilities has become stylized and useless.
Conrad
-----Original Message-----
From: Davis, Daniel (KYTC)
Sent: Monday, May 02, 2011 8:43 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Counting bits
Does no one do statistical analysis?
Daniel B. Davis
Archaeologist Coordinator
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
Division of Environmental Analysis
200 Mero Street
Frankfort, KY 40622
(502) 564-7250
-----Original Message-----
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of sent
Sent: Friday, April 29, 2011 9:54 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Counting bits
Generally one puts numbers on the bits....
Yes counting bits- the only use is for accounting for pieces.
One should expect more from a report- one should be able to visualize
the
assemblage. Again one can do this with individual artifact mapping and
photograpy but also very time consuming.
Do reports have to be of only very limited utility because people wont
insist or pay to do it right?
Conrad
-----Original Message-----
From: Robert Leavitt
Sent: Friday, April 29, 2011 8:45 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Counting bits
Counting bits has one major use. When someone in future is skimming
thru your catalog looking for samples of specific materials the
number of bits, combined with the overall weight, provides clues
about what to expect in a specific bag. That may help them to decide
whether to pull that specific package of bits right now, later, or
not at all. And a minor use - if/when vandals (or a tornado...) hit
your storage area, you will have some idea which bits were originally
packaged together.
Robert
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